Formed : 2008
Members:
For bookings please contact Melinda at mel.martine@mac.com
IZ is currently available in Kuala Lumpur.
Label: IzWorkz Music | Sony BMG Malaysia
Official Website:
www.iz-one.com/
AMP Address:
amp.channelv.com/iz
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The idea came about as soon as I got eliminated from the Top 9 of One In A Million Season 2/ 2008 which ended last February 2008. I told my fans & supporters on the night I got eliminated that I am ‘Gonna Be Alright’, and that my journey has just begun. I may not be the winner of the latest season of the show but I am proud to be the first contestant to have a debut release. So here I am today, proving to people out there that there is in fact life after reality TV. I want to demonstrate the positive messages contained on ‘Gonna Be Alright’. I pray that this message of optimism will help and inspire others.
How many producers are involved in the making of your debut EP?
As a producer myself, I’ve been pretty hands on throughout the whole project as I am the type of artist who loves to collaborate and bounce ideas off others, and I really do believe in the power of teamwork. For this EP, I’ve recruited Adam Luck, a Sydney-based producer and also Jean-Louis Sibert, an upcoming young musician to come on board with me to produce the EP. Both are personal friends of mine.
Do you involve yourself in the EP production?
Definitely. This is what I’ve always wanted to do. Being fully involved with the various stages of the production of this EP gives me the opportunity to showcase more of myself as an artist. I was very involved from the initial planning, concept of the EP, the ‘look’ and ‘feel’, the writing, recording, mixing and mastering, album design, layout, styling even to the barcode at the back cover of the EP. Though its hard work, it’s a lot of fun and I learnt a lot.
Who else is involved in the project? Any big names?
This EP features C. Loco from the popular hip-hop group Poetic Ammo, who rapped on my hip-hop infused house track and also Nora Danish who is a very popular Malay actress whom I got to know just recently. Her voice was just what I am looking for, plus the track is currently doing well in Singapore so I am very happy. Other big names involved in the post production of the EP that I feel should not be left out would be AIM15 Best Album Recording winner, Nick Lee of the The Ark Studios and also Kieran Kuek who worked with the likes of Jaclyn Victor and Ferhad. Aside from big names, I intend to work with anyone who is musically talented and have got the drive to excel. Well-known or not, is a different matter.
Your EP took about 4 months to complete? Why the rush?
I was hardly rushing while doing the EP. Fact is I was having a lot of fun. By releasing this EP it does not only help me take advantage of the momentum I have created through One In A Million Season 2 [The show ended 5 months ago], but it also sends out a very good message especially to young people out there that if you hang in there and believe in what you can do, you will eventually make it. Plus, I see this EP as a medium for me to introduce myself to the already saturated local music market before I release my full studio album next year. Oh! I didn’t want my fans to wait too long either so this is my gift to them. I really hope they will enjoy the EP as much as I had fun writing and producing it.
The EP was partly recorded in Sydney, Australia. Why is that?
My collaborator friend, Adam Luck of ADM Studios Australia who is also a very talented classically-trained pianist couldn’t come down to KL to work with me due to work commitments. The same goes to me. I was lucky that the show (OIAM 2) provided me the platform and I was too busy riding it. Therefore, a trip ‘down under’ was impossible. So we ended up working through phone calls, emails, chats on SKYPE, and FTPs. The final music arrangements were sent to me via FedEx.
I am heading back to Melbourne where I still keep a place to continue working on my full studio album, which will have a lot of surprises. I am positive about this.
Why did you record 会好的, a Mandarin version of “Gonna Be Alright”?
I wanted to spread the motivational and inspirational messages contained in the English version to more people. It’s only natural for me to record a Mandarin version of the single as I was on a show produced by 8TV where 70% of its audience speaks Mandarin and I have gained Mandarin-speaking fans indirectly. In addition to that, I have wanted to study Mandarin for the longest time. So this is just the beginning. Mandarin is really challenging for me and I love the challenge. I worked really hard to get the pronunciation right with the help of native speakers and I believe I have tried my best. All I can say to my Chinese fans out there is to get the EP and be the judge.
Did you expect that you are going to end up where you are now?
KL was supposedly a quick stop over for me from my world trip in 2007 before I returned to Melbourne, where I have certain things I want to get started on. Little did I know that I was going to be where I am at today. Honestly speaking, I do not have a lot of friends or music industry contacts in KL as most of my friends live in various parts of the world. My journey since One In A Million Season 2 has been an ongoing one. The show really has provided me the platform to introduce myself again with this debut EP and show others what I am capable of doing. I feel so blessed and lucky.
How do you find yourself in the industry comparing to other reality show artistes?
I believe I have the drive to succeed. I want to keep producing great songs and great music, and be the best that I can be. I reckon my interest in album production; the ‘look’ and ‘feel’ of my album, my personal style and my voice especially really have set me apart from the other reality show artistes. Sure, full package helps but I want to be known more as a singer and songwriter who strive for something different every time. Success to me is only a state of mind. Quincy Jones once said “I don’t know the key to success but the key to failure is when you try to please EVERYBODY”.
Where can we find more information or latest updates about you?
My team and I will update my schedule and latest updates or news from time to time on my official website and also my blog.
For more information about me, you can log on to:
Official Website – www.iz-one.com
Personal Blog – www.imborntosingsongs.blogspot.com
You did your undergraduate & postgraduate studies; do you believe that education is vital in an artist’s career?
In my opinion, having proper education will help boost an artist’s career to a different level. It is not vital, but it will definitely help in a big way when it comes to career planning and decision-making processes.
What can your fans expect from the full studio album, which will be released in 2009?
It’ll be a surprise.
Bio
IZ is More Than A Million! From NINTH in One In A Million to being the FIRST to have a debut release “GONNA BE ALRIGHT/会好的”
Kuala Lumpur, 14 August 2008 - Although he did not take home the coveted title of 8TV’s One In A Million (OIAM) Season 2 grand winner, it did not give any reasons for Ezuan Sulaini, or better known as IZ, to give up. In fact, he went straight into the recording studio and started working on his self-written debut single shortly after being eliminated from the Top 9.
In a media appreciation reception cum media launch of his debut EP held at and sponsored by Bangkok Jazz here in Kuala Lumpur, IZ, 25, serenaded members of the press and invited guests with his debut single which is also the title track for his debut EP, “Gonna Be Alright”. The EP was launched online at 8PM on 08.08.2008 prior to its official market release this month, which saw hundreds of his fans and supporters visiting his personal blog on that day. He also performed his current 2nd Malay single called “Bersama, Together Featuring Nora Danish” also included on his debut release.
“Gonna Be Alright” is an inspirational ballad written by IZ as a personal message to his fans to not take setbacks as failure but to triumph over adversity. Produced and written by IZ, it took approximately three weeks to complete. The entire EP was also partly recorded in the ‘Land Down Under’. All vocals were recorded in Kuala Lumpur while all the music were arranged and recorded in Sydney, Australia. Nick Lee (AIM15 winner for Best Album Recording) of The Ark Studios, Kieran Kuek of TwoAM Studios KL, and Adam Luck of ADM Studios Australia took great care of the recording, mixing and the mastering of IZ’s ‘first born’.
“Gonna Be Alright” is currently enjoying airplays both in Malaysia (XFresh, Hitz, FlyFM, Traxx, Capital, Red104.9) and Australia (JOY, Nova FM, Triple J) since March 2008. It also charted up to No.2 on FlyFM’s CAMPUR Chart, a popular English music chart that features local musical talents.
“I was inspired to write “Gonna Be Alright” a day after I got eliminated. It’s a reflection of my character as someone who does not take setbacks as the end all. I hope it will inspire others to not see defeats, failures and disappointments in life as something to wallow in but used as a lesson to do better in the future. I dedicate this single to my fans and supporters out there, to let them know that I am… Gonna Be Alright!”, IZ explained confidently.
IZ truly believes in the lyrical content of “Gonna Be Alright” that he intends to spread the positive messages by having it recorded in more than one language, and in more than one genre.
Born a risk-taker, IZ took the gamble to record the seventh track, 会好的 (pronounced Hui Hao De), the Mandarin version of “Gonna Be Alright” to spread his positive messages to the Mandarin-speaking audience. Since IZ is not a native speaker of the Chinese language, he enlisted the help of 8TV’s Celebrity Chat host and emcee, Baki Zainal to guide him through the pronunciation.
IZ’s inspiring and motivational message resonates from a melodic ballad to hip-gyrating dance music in the third track of the EP, “Gonna Be Alright Club Mix Feat. C. Loco”. He has called on big-hitter C. Loco and Jean Louis-Sibert to glide down the song with up-tempo house music infused with hip-hop beats. Fans will be pleasantly surprised to hear IZ’s first attempt to rap on this track as well.
“With the debut of my first EP, I hope to be able to satiate my supporters’ thirst for something new. I also wished to explore new grounds, keep my OIAM2 fans and supporters while reaching out to a new fan base with my own brand of music. I’m adamant about proving that there is life after reality TV and want to be taken seriously in the local music scene”, quips IZ who connects with his fans through his blog imborntosingsongs.blogspot.com.
And exploring new grounds he did. His current Malay single, “Bersama, Together Featuring Nora Danish” is a sexy, mid-tempo R&B number featuring popular Malay actress, Nora Danish. On 12th of June 2008, IZ debuted the single on TV3’s Malaysia Hari Ini much to the delight of the largely Malay audience of the show. As a result of this, it is increasingly getting airplays on local Malay radios not only in Malaysia, but also in Singapore. His strategy to capture the Malay market is showing positive signs everywhere; The single is currently on the Top 10 list of Carta 20 MuzikFM in less than a month since it’s on-radio release three weeks ago.
OIAM2 jury, Syafinaz Selamat, embraces IZ’s crossover from a reality TV show contestant to a bona fide local entertainer.
“I reckon that IZ will bring a breath of fresh air to the local music scene. We always give the tools and prepare the contestants for the harsh lights of reality of being in the music industry. During his stint in OIAM2, IZ proved to be able to withstand the pressure, and at the same time, really thrive under it. Not many people can do what he did- to be cast as an antagonist in a reality TV show and come back alive, kicking and screaming”, noted Syafinaz Selamat.
It does not stop here, IZ has also started writing and recording new materials, which will be unleashed in his full studio album due for release sometime in 2009.
Promo tours of IZ’s debut EP “Gonna Be Alright/会好的” is planned to set its way this month onwards and will be heading across Malaysia.
So to the fans out there, don’t forget to grab copies of IZ’s “Gonna Be Alright/会好的” EP currently available in music stores nationwide, distributed by Sony BMG Malaysia. The EP is also available for digital purchase by visiting guamuzik.com.my or through SonyBMG’s WAP portal [Send MUSIC to 33138].
For more information about IZ and his debut EP, please log on to IZ’s official website www.iz-one.com or his personal blog at www.imborntosingsongs.blogspot.com
From NINTH in One In A Million to being the FIRST to have a debut release “GONNA BE ALRIGHT/会好的”